For the safety – and dignity – of my clients and my co-workers due to the ongoing occupation of my city, Minneapolis, we have had to temporarily shut our doors at Bonita Beauty Salon. Located in the heart of the Latino corridor, our business slowed first in December of 2025 when federal agents appeared, before stopping completely in January, 2026. Now, we ask you to donate to help our families get through this difficult time.

My family and I have called Minneapolis home for over 25 years. We love it so much that we installed multiple businesses in the core of the city, on Lake Street. When my first husband unexpectedly died in 2018, I remained committed to making our small business work. The George Floyd murder in 2020 also negatively impacted us, forcing us to close temporarily. And now, with ICE marching up and down our streets and even using the parking lot nearby as a stationing area, we cannot put any more people in danger than they already are.

My story of fighting and continuing to thrive is similar to many other small business immigrant entrepreneurs, which make me proud and Minnesota great. We will get through this difficult time because we are Minnesota. We are stronger and better than what we are up against. We have beat the odds before and we will again. Why? Because we are immigrants.